In what would probably be a very rare opportunity, I, an Entered Apprentice of Freemasonry, was passed to Fellowcraft Mason, raised to Master Mason, and then made a 32 degree Mason, and then a Shriner. All in one day. It was a long day, but I think it was worth it.
My wife and mother, both Muslims, have been utterly shocked and upset when I came home with a huge Masonic Bible. Pointing to the book, they claim that Freemasonry is not only religious, it is Christian and as such my activity in Freemasonry (whether Blue Lodge or Shriner) will not be allowed.
My mother is adamant about this, and I feel she will not hear any of my explanations of what Freemasonry is until I can show or say something conclusively that demonstrates that Freemasonry - although deriving much of its allegory from the Bible (Torah, to be exact) - does not respect any particular religion, and as such is compatible with Islam as well as Christianity and Judaism.
(I could tell her that I joined so I could participate in a Muslim-ish type of Masonry, namely the Shriners, but that would be misleading in many ways.)
Masonry is not a religion. It is ‘the handmaiden to religion.’ Our craft does not claim to have no path to Salvation, it has no teachings on Judgment or the afterlife.
There are Lodges in Turkey (as noted above) and other Islamic nations. I have sat in many Lodges many times with good Muslims.
I would point out that the discussion of religion is prohibited in Lodges. The Craft desires you to seek Truth with your own heart and to be faithful to God in the way He calls to you.
I hope you can convince your parents of the nature of Freemasonry. I also hope that you can convince your Brothers that Islam in an ancient and honorable religion. In both cases, do not overlook the power of your own good example to others.
As has been pointed out, a discussion of religion is forbidden in Lodge. In fact, at least in my experience, new members are cautioned against adopting Masonry as a religion. I don’t believe there is anything Masonic that would offend Muslim sensitivities.
In retrospect, I think my family’s worry is less that it’s non-Muslim than what the rest of our relatives will think. Remember that some paranoid Muslims love to blame everything on the Freemasons (along with America, England, Israel, Zionism, Western imperialism, etc.).
I was amazed, frankly, during the ceremonies. Although serious, these men were not opposed to laughter and fun. The Shriner ceremonials were quite impressive.
Now, all I need to do is incorporate Mahayana Buddhism, Mazdayasnism (also known as Zoroastrianism, aka the Parsi religion, aka Zarathushti religion), Moravian Christianity, Macumba, and, according to the faiths and religions listed on Yahoo!, Messianic Judaism and Mithraism (hah! sacrificing bulls!) - and then I shall be the M-maestro. Maestro, M, woohoo!
